Do you need to take antibiotics after a breast reduction surgery?

Question

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

Antibiotic regimens will vary among plastic surgeons.  The consensus recommendations are for a perioperative dose of IV antibiotics and nothing more.  However this is only a recommendation and not a hard and fast rule.  Sometimes longer coverage will be indicated in a higher infection risk patient. Discuss this with your surgeon. Best wishes.

Susan Buenaventura, MD, FACS · Answer

It is up to your surgeon and there is not one right answer.  I routinely give IV antibiotics at the time of surgery and about a week of oral antibiotics.  As the surgery takes several hours and is extensive soft tissue surgery, it is reasonable to have antibiotics post operatively.  Many breast reduction patients have chronic skin infections pre operatively, and antibiotics can be helpful in that regard as well.

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

I routinely give intravenous antibiotics whilst my patients are in hospital (12-24hours) and then tablets for 5-7 days to go home with.  Check with your surgeon what they usually recommend. If you have allergies/sensitivities then this will be taken into account.  All the best Kim

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Surgeons will vary in their protocol. Some might only recommend one dose before surgery and some may continue it  longer.Best to ask your surgeon.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

Every PS will give different advice. Some PS's do not give antibiotics, some give one dose intraop and some give intraop and some to go home with.

Do you need to take antibiotics after a breast reduction surgery?

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Answer: Antibiotics and breast reduction`

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Answer: Antibiotics

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Do you need to take antibiotics after a breast reduction surgery?

Answers (5)

Answer: Antibiotics and breast reduction`

Answer: Antibiotics and breast reduction`

Answer: Antibiotics

Answer: Antibiotics

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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